Door latch



G. R. FEUERLEIN 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. I 6241 8 2? 7 aerzezk,

y a. R FEUERLEWE DOOR LATCH Filed May 29, 1944 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR 67:02:58 7:7, 71% 61 26;

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Patented July 30, 1946 -UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Roethel EngineeringCorporation,

Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application May 29, 1944, Serial No.537,838

28 Claims.

This invention relates generally to door latches for various types ofdoor structures. The invention is particularly, although notexclusively, useful in connection with latch devices adapted for use inconnection with the doors of automobiles and other vehicles andcontemplates the provision of an improved door latch including apreferably non-retractible latch bolt adapted to be installed upon aswinging door and an improved striker device cooperable with the boltfor shifting the same into latching position when the door is closed.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the aboveclass or type which is relatively simple and compact in construction,economical to manufacture, easily operated, durable and eflicient inuse, and which in operation is capable of providing an easy andrelatively quiet closing door.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved door latchembodying a latch bolt extending. longitudinally at the free edge of thedoor and shiftable vertically both when closing and opening the door,means being provided for locking the bolt in a plurality of positionsand additional means of a simple and efficient character being providedfor releasing the bolt looking means to permit the door to be opened.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved latch devicein which a longitudinally extending non-retractible bolt is adapted tobe shifted vertically, when closing the door, by engagement with aninclined striker or cam device and in which the bolt may beautomatically locked in elevated position at one or more points on theinclined surface of the striker so as to hold the bolt positivelyagainst withdrawal.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved latchmechanism including a longitudinally extending bolt shiftablevertically, during closing of the door, by sliding engagement with aninclined surface, devices being provided for locking the bolt on saidsurface at a plurality of elevations and additional means controlledsuch as by a push button being provided for shifting said devices.

According to one aspect of the invention the bolt is carried by avertically shiftable slide at all times urged downwardly towardunlatching position by a spring and the bolt locking devices being inthe form of spring pressed swinging members urged at all times towardthe slide so that each will automatically move into locking positionwhen the bolt is at a predetermined elevation. According to a furtheraspect of the invention the swinging bolt locking members are capable ofbeing simultaneously swung out of locking position by a kick-out orreleasing member adapted to be actuated to accomplish this purpose bymeans of a push button control.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specification wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken through a swinging doorand adjacent pillar and illustrating an installation of a door latchconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially through lines 22 ofFig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially through lines 3-3 ofFig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are views similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating differentpositions of the bolt and associated mechanism,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially throughlines -5 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section taken substantially through lines l--'! ofFig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a section taken substantially through lines 8-8 of Fig. 2looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is a section taken substantially through lines 9-9 of Fig. 2looking in the direction of the arrows.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is i to beunderstood that the phraseolcgy or terminology employed herein is forthe purpose of description and not 'of limitation.

In the drawings there is illustrated, by way of example, one embodimentof the present invention as applied to a door structure, such as that ofan automobile. The swinging door is hinged at one edge so as to swingagainst a common door post or body pillar in accordance withconventional practice and comprises an outer metal door panel [0 and aninner metal door panel H. The

a panel H terminates in a transverse jamb edge or portion l2 facing thefixed jamb face or edge [3 of the door post or body pillar is.

The latch device proper comprises a case plate l5 engaging the innersurface of the inner door panel II and provided with a transverselyextending flange I35 adapted to fit against the inner surface of thejarnb edge if of the door. The case plate is rigidly secured in suitablemanner, such as by screws, to the panel portions H. Slidable verticallyupon the.

and 12 of the door. inner face of the case plate flange i5 is a boltcarrying slide i! to which is rigidly secured a bolt l8 projectingthrough a verticalslot tit-in the flange 45 and a correspondingverticaLslot ispr ovided with a laterally extending lug or 20 (Fig. 0)in the jamb portion l2 .ofthe door.-

Communicating slots [9 and 29 are preferably of the same height and aredimensioned so :that the bolt l8 will have a sliding fit between thecorresponding side, edges thereof. The slide ll is guided against thecase plate flange l5.in 2. rectilinear vertical direction by n eansofguide studs 2| secured to the flange lfi and fitting within guide slots2 la in the. slide 11; The slide I'i atits upper edge adjacent the case.plate 15 is formed with an inturned flange or projection 22. At itslower edge the slide I1 is provided-with an inturnecl flange orprojection 23 the upper face of which is engaged at all times byone endof a spirally wound spring. 24 anchored at its opposite end to the caseplate. Thespring is; under tension at all times and exerts an effort onthe slide. i1 urging it downwardly. into the position shown in Fig. 5. vv

For the purpose of locking the slide I! in a plurality of elevatedpositions; such as the positions shown in Figs. 2; and 4;, a pair ofswinging locking members 25 and 25 are-provided.- These members arearranged face to face as shown in Fig. 9, and are pivotally mounted attheir lower ends upon a shoulder rivet 21 seoured to the case plate. Asshown moreclearly in Figfl, the rear edge 25b of the locking member 25is engaged by a spring 28 and the rear edg o 2 b of the looking member26 is engaged by asimila-r spring 29. The springs 23 and 29 arearranged-side by side and are anchored in common to a lug 38 struck outfrom the case plate. The locking members 25 and 26 are providedat theirupper edges, as shown in Fig. 9, with outturned flanges ZEo and 28awhich are spaced apart a suitable distance vertically and are adapted toengage successively beneath the projection 22 on the slide l'i when thelatter is shifted vertically predetermined distances. It will be readilyseen that when the slide 1'! is shifted vertically from the positionshown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. l, the IOCKlllg member 25will be forced by its spring 23 into position to bring the lug or flange25a beneath the projection 22 on the slide thereby looking it inposition. Continued upward movement of the slide to the positionshcwn inFig. 2 will result in the locking member 26 being forced by its spring29 outwardly so as to force the flange or lug 25a thereof beneath theprojection or lip 22 of the slide thereby locking the slide in themanner shown in Fig. 2. It will be seen that when the bolt I8 is in itslowermost posit-ion, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the locking members 25and 26 will be held against outward movement under the influence of thesprings 23 and 23 by the engagement of the edges 25c and 250 of thesemembers with the edge of the projecting lug or. lip 22.0f the .boltslide. Likewise when the locking member 25 has been thrust forflange.portion 32 adapted to overlap and engage cor-respondingly shapedprojecting portions 3,3 .34 formed at the upper ends of the lookingmembers 25 and 26. Thus, when the locking member25'or when both lockingmembers 25 and. 26 lie beneath the projecting lip 22, as shown in eitherFig. 4 or Fig. 2, the forwardedge-of the portion 33, as shown in Fig. 4,or the forward edges of both portions 33 and 34, as shown in Fig. 2,

will abut against the flange or projection 32 on the lever 3|. Hence, byretracting the lQY ,or swinging it to the right in Figs, 2 and 4,, thelooking members 25 and 26 will also be swung to the right therebywithdrawing the portions 254; and 25a from beneath the lip 2.2onthebolt, slide. When this occurs the bolt slide and bolt will bereleased and will be shifted downwardly to the position show in Fig. 5by the return spring 24. The lever ol is guided inits swingingmovementby means of a stud 35 securedto the case plate extending through andshiftable within an arcuate guide slot 35 in the lever. The lever 31. isnormally urged outwardly toward the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4 bymeans of a spring 31. When, therefore, the lever is unrestrained it willnormally assumethe position shown either Fig. 2 or Fig. 4 due to theaction of the spring 21.

The upper edge Qi the lever 31 is provided with a notch or recess 38 toreceive the flanged edge portion 39a of a lockingslide 38 guided forvertical movement by means of guide slots 49 in the slide cooperablewith guide studs 41 secured to the case plate. The lockin slide may beshifted vertically in either directifn throu h the medium of a plunger42 provided with a knob 43 accessible at the inside of the door. Byforcing the plunger downwardly the flange portion 33g. of the lockingslide will be positioned behind a flange portion 44 on the forward edgeof the notch or recess 38, as illustrated in Fig. 2. With the parts inthis position the lever 3| will be dogged againstswinging movement,thereby preventing operation of the lever to shift the locking members25 and 25 and release the bolt slide. As also illustrated in Fig. 2, thelocking slide 39 maybe shifted in either direction vertically throughany conventional key operated lock 45 provided with an actuating member46 controlled by turning the key in the lock andengaging in a notchThus, the locking slide 39 may be shifted into and out of positionbehind the flange or abutment 44 either by shifting the plunger 62 orturning the key in the lock 45 to swing the member 46.

The present door latch is provided with means controlled by a pushbutton mounted on the outside of the door for shifting the lever 31rearwardly to withdraw the locking members 25 and 26 from beneath thelocking lug or flange 22 on the bolt slide. The upper portion am of thelever Si is provided with a flanged edge 3% normally projectingintoposition to be engaged by a bell crank lever 41' pivoted at 48 to achannel piece vehicle.

49 notched or cut away to receive the lever 41, as illustrated in Fig.8. The lever 41 has an arm 41b engaging the flanged edge 3|b and alsohas a second arm 41a engaged by the inner end of a horizontal plunger 5|fitting within the channel piece 49 and guided therein by a pin and slotconnection 52 and 53, see Figs. 3 and 8. Threaded into the outer end ofthe plunger 5| is the stem 54 of a push button 55. This button isconfined within a recess 56 formed within an escutcheon or housingmember 51 secured to the outer door panel II], as shown in Fig. 1. Bypressing the push button 55 inwardly within the recess 56 the plunger 5|will swing the lever 41 about its pivot 48 thereby swinging the kick-outlever 3| to the right in Fig. 2. This motion of the lever will betransmitted through the lug 32 to the locking members 25 and 26 therebywithdrawing them from beneath the locking lug or flange 22 on the boltslide. It will be seen from Fig. 8 that the construction of the lever 41is such as to translate inward sliding motion of the plunger 5| to theupper end 3|a of the lever 3| into motion in a direction at right anglesor transverse to the direction of movement of the plunger 5|.

As particularly illustrated in Fig. '7, provision is made in the presentlatch structure for retracting the lever 3| to release the bolt slidethrough the medium of a push button control mounted on the inner doorpanel II at the inside of the A bell crank lever 58 is pivoted at 59 toa channel bracket 60 secured to the case plate. This lever has an arm58a projecting into a slot or aperture 6| in the lever 3| and engageablewith one edge of the recess. The lever 58 is also provided with a secondarm 58b engaged by a push button plunger 62 terminating in an annularbutton 62a housed and guided within a sleeve 63 anchored in a housing 65secured to the inner door panel. Surrounding the push button 62 is acompression spring 64 normally urging the push button outwardly to theposition shown in Fig. 7, By pushing the :button inwardly the bell crank58 will be swung on its pivot 59 thereby swinging the kick-out lever 3|to the right in Figs- 2 and '7 resulting in withdrawing the lockingmembers 25 and 26 from beneath the locking flange or lug 22 on the boltslide.

It will be understood that normally when the door is open the bolt [8and its slide will occupy their lowermost position, as illustrated inFig. 5, through action of the spring 24. At this time the bolt l8 willlie at the lower end of the vertical slot IS in the case plate flange l6and also at the lower end of the slot 28 in the door jamb l2. Therespective positions at this time of the bolt l8, slide l1 and lockingmembers 25 and 26 are illustrated in Fig. 5. The bolt is moved upwardlywithin the guide slots I9 and 20 during closing movement of the door bymeans of a striker member 66 rigidly secured, as by means of screws, tothe janrb edge |3 of the body pillar or post I4. This striker isprovided with twoprojecting portions 61 and 68 spaced apart, asillustrated in Fig. 6, to provide an upwardly inclined guideway 69through which the bolt I8 is adapted to travel in engagement with thespaced parallel faces of the striker portions 61 and 68.

As the door is closed the bolt l8 will enter the lower end of theguideway 69, as shown by the dotted line position of the bolt in Fig. 6,and thence will travel upwardly along the inclined face 68a of thestriker portion 68. This face will operate to cam the bolt upwardlywithin the guide slots l9 and 20. It is preferred that the width of theguideway 69 be such as to cause the lower inclined face 61a of thestriker portion 61 to be in contact with the bolt as it travels upwardlywithin the guideway. The final locking position of the bolt within theinclined guideway is shown in full lines in Fig. 6, and when the boltreaches this position the bolt carrying slide I! will have reached theposition shown in Fig. 2. During the upward travel of the bolt slide thelocking member 25 will be forced beneath the locking flange 22 when thelatter clears the flange 25a on the locking member. This member,therefore, provides a safety locking step by which the bolt slide willbe locked against downward movement in case the bolt does not go fullyhome to the position shown in Fig. 6. When the bolt reaches thisposition, however, the second locking member 26 will be shifted beneaththe bolt locking flange 22 thereby positively locking it in the fullyclosed position of the door. It is important, therefore, to note thatthe bolt |8 may be positively locked within the inclined guideway 69 ina plurality of vertical positions by means of the members 25 and 26which, by preventing the bolt from being cammed downwardly and out ofthe guideway, positively prevent the door from opening except byswinging the kick-out lever 3| rearwardly to simultaneously withdraw thelocking members 25 and 26 from beneath the locking flange or lip 22 onthe bolt slide.

It will be noted that the upper surfaces of the flanges 25a and 26a aswell as the bottom face of the flange 22 are correspondingly inclined ortapered. As a result of this construction the locking members willexert, under the influence of their springs, an upward wedging actionagainst the flange 22 and assuring that the locking members will worktheir way fully home under the action of their springs. These inclinedsurfaces also facilitate withdrawal of the locking members when the pushbutton 55 or the push button 62 is pressed to retract the lever 3|. Theupper surface 671) of the striker portion 6'! is inclined for engagementby an inclined block 10 rigidly secured to the edge of the doorimmediately above the bolt l8. This block 10 in cooperation with thestriker member 67 will assist in holding the door vertically againstsagging and in cooperation with the latch bolt 8 will rigidly hold thedoor against movement in any vertical direction during operation of thevehicle.

It is further important to note that, due to the constant downwardeffort exerted by the return spring 24 on the bolt slide I1, as soon asthe locking members are withdrawn from their locking positions theefiort exerted by the spring on the bolt slide will be transmitted tothe bolt tending to cam the bolt out of the guideway 69. This actionwill result in exerting an opening effort on the door. Thus, when thepush button is pressed with the door in closed latched position theaction of the spring will be to tend to force the bolt out of thestriker guideway thereby tending to swing the door partially open. Theextent of this opening effort on the door will depend on the strength ofthe spring 24 and the assistance from this spring desired in initiatingthe opening of the door. In the present latch an inside push buttonrelease, Fig. '7, is provided. However, any suitable remote controlmechanism attached to the kick-out lever 3| may be provided where it isdesired to retract this lever from a remote point of control.Furthermore, although two locking members for the safety and finallocking steps are provided it will be understood that more than twolocking members to provide additional locking steps may be employed.

I claim:

1. In a door latch, a case plate adapted to be mounted on a swingingdoor, a vertically movable slide on said plate, a longitudinallyextending latch bolt secured to said slide and engageable with aninclined surface on a door frame member when the door is closed forshifting the slide upwardly, and a spring actuated locking membershiftable into position beneath a projecting portion on the slide whenthe latter reaches a predetermined elevation 'for positively locking thebolt slide against downward movement.

2. In a door latch, a case plate adapted to be mounted on a swingingdoor, a vertically movable slide on said plate, a longitudinally extending latch bolt secured to said slide and engageable with an inclinedsurface on a door frame member when the door is closed for shiftingslide upwardly, a spring actuated locking member shiftable into positionbeneath a projecting portion on the slide when the latter reaches apredetermined elevation for positively locking the bolt slide againstdownward movement, and means for withdrawing said locking member torelease the slide.

3. In a door latch, a case plate adapted to be mounted on a swingingdoor, a vertically movable slide on said plate, a longitudinalyextending latch bolt secured to said slide and engageable with aninclined surface on a door frame member when the door is closed forshifting the slide upwardly, a spring actuated locking member shiftableinto position beneath a projecting portion on the slide when the latterreaches a predetermined elevation for positively locking the bolt slideagainst downward movement, and a swinging lever for withdrawing saidlocking member from beneath said projecting portion to release theslidev 4. In a door latch, a case plate adapted to be mounted on aswinging door, a verticaly movable slide on said plate, spring mean forurging said slide downwardly, a longitudina ly extending latch boltsecured to said slide and engageable with an inclined surface on a doorframe member when the door is closed for shifting the slide upwardly,and a spring actuated locking member shiftable into position beneath aprojecting portion on the slide when the latter reaches a predeterminedelevation for positively locking the bo t slide against downwardmovement.

5. In a door latch, a case plate adapted to be mounted on a swingingdoor, a vertically movable slide on said plate, spring means for urgingsaid slide downwardly, a longitudinally extending latch bolt secured tosaid slide and engageable with an inclined surface on a door framemember when the door is closed for shifting the slide upwardly, a springactuated locking member shiftable into position beneath a projectingportion on the slide when th latter reaches a predetermined elevationfor positively lockin the bolt slide against downward movement, andmeans for withdrawing said locking member to release the slide.

6. In a door latch, a case plate adapted to be mounted on a swingingdoor, a vertically movable siide on said plate, spring mean for urgingsaid slide downwardly, a longitudinally. extending latch bolt secured tosaid slide and engageable with an inclined surface on a door framemember when the door i closed for shifting the slide upwardly, aswinging spring actuated locking member shiftable into position beneatha projecting portion on the slide when the latter reache a predeterminedelevation for positively locking the boit slide against downwardmovement, and a swinging lever for withdrawing said locking member frombeneath said projecting portion to release the slide.

7. In a door latch, a supporting plate adapted to be mounted on aswinging door at one edge thereof, a vertically shiftable slide on saidplate,

s a longitudinally extending latch bolt secured to the slide andprojecting through aligned vertical slots in the plate and the edge ofthe door, said bolt being engageable with an inclined surface on a doorframe member when the door is closed for shifting the bolt and slideupwardly, a plurality of swingin locking members having verticallyspaced portions shiftable successively into positions beneath aprojection on the slide for supper Ding the slide against downwardmovement, spring for urging said locking members into said positions,and means for shifting said'locking members out of position beneath saidprojection to release said slide.

8. In a door latch, a supportin plate adapted to be mounted on aswinging door at one edge thereof, 'a vertically shiftable slide on saidplate, a longitudinally extending latch bolt secured to the slide andprojecting through aligned vertical slot in the plate and the edge ofthe door, said bolt being engageable with an inclined surface on a doorframe member when the door is closed for shifting the bolt and slideupwardly, a plurality of swinging locking members having verticallyspaced portions shiftable successively into position beneath aprojection on the slide for supporting the slide against downwardmovement, spring means for urging said locking members into saidpositions, and push button controlled means for shifting said lockingmembers out of position beneath said projection to release said slide.

9. In a door latch, a supporting plate adapted to be mounted on aswinging door at one edge thereof, a vertically shiftable slide on saidplate, a longitudinally extending latch bolt secured to the slide andprojecting through aligned vertical slots in the plate and the edge ofthe door, said bolt being engageable with an inclined surface on a doorframe member when the door is closed for shifting the bolt and slideupwardly, a plurality of swingin locking members having verticallyspaced portions shiftable successively into positions beneath aprojection on the slide for supporting the slide against downwardmovement, sprin means for urging said locking members into saidpositions, and swingin lever means for shifting said locking members outof position beneath said projection to release said slide.

10. In a door latch, a supporting plate adapted to be mounted on aswinging door at one edge thereof, a vertically shiftable slide on saidplate, spring means for urging said slide downwardly, a longitudinallyextendin latch bolt secured to the slide and projecting through alignedvertical slots in the plate and the edge of the door, said bolt beingengageable with an inclined surface on a door frame member when the dooris closed for shifting the bolt and slide upwardly, a plurality ofswinging lockin members having vertically spaced portions shiftablesuccessively into positions beneath a projection on the slide forsupporting the slide against downward movement, spring means for urgingsaid locking members into said positions, and means for shifting saidlocking members out of position beneath said projection to release saidslide.

11. In a door latch, a supporting plate adapted to be mounted on aswinging door at one edge thereof, a vertically shiftable slide on saidplate, a longitudinally extending latch bolt secured to the slide andprojecting through aligned vertical slots in the plate and the edge ofthe door, said bolt being engageable with an inclined surface on a doorframe member when the door is closed for shifting the bolt and slideupwardly, a plurality of swinging locking members having verticallyspaced portions shiftable successively into positions beneath aprojection on the slide for supporting the slide against downwardmovement, spring means for urging said locking members into saidpositions, and a swinging member for shifting one or both of sa dlocking members out of supporting position beneath said projection torelease said slide. 7

12. Ina door latch, a sup orting plate adapted to be mounted on a swining door at one edge thereof, a vertically shiftable slide on saidplate, spring means for urging said slide downwardly, a longitudinallyextending latch bolt secured to the slide and projecting through ali nedvertical slots in the plate and the elge of the door, said bolt beingengageable with an inclined surface on a door frame member when the dooris closed for shifting the bolt and slide upwardly,

a plurality of swinging lockin members having vertically s aced portionsshiftable successively into positions benea h a proiection on the slidefor supporting the sl de against downward movement. spring means forurging said locking members into said posit ons, and a sw n ing memberfor shifting one or both of said locking members out of su portinposition beneath said projection to release said slide.

13. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door hi ged at one edge to causethe opposite free edge to swing into and out of closed position with resect to an upright frame member, a vertically shiftable slide mounted onsaid free edge of the door. a latch bolt secured to the slide andextending throu h a vertical slot in said free edge of the door, s ringmeans urging said slide downwardly, a striker on said frame memberhaving an i clined surface ada ted to cam the bolt unwardly in said slotwhen the door is closed to elevate said slide. means shiftable beneath aportion of the slide to su port the same a ainst downward movement andthereby lock the bolt on said incl ned surface in an elevated positionor positions of the slide, and means for retracting said first means torelease the slide and permit it to move downwardly under the influenceof its spri g means thereby moving the bolt downw rdly in said slot andalong said inclined surface.

14. In a, latch mechanism for a swinging door hinged at one edge tocause the opposite free edge to swing into and out of closed positionwith res ect to an u right frame member, a vertically shiftable slidemounted on said free edge of the door, a latch bolt. secured to theslide and extending through a vertical slot in said free edge of thedoor, spring means urging said slide downwardly, a striker on said framemember having an inclined surface adapted to cam the bolt upwardly insaid slot when the door is' closed to elevate said slide, spring pressedmeans shiftable beneath a portion of the slide to support the sameagainst downward movement and thereby lock the bolt on said inclinedsurface in an elevated position or positions of the slide, and springpressed means for retracting said first means to release the slide andpermit it to move downwardly under the influence of its spring meansthereby moving the bolt downwardly in said slot and along said inclinedsurface.

15. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door hinged at one edge to causethe opposite free edge to swing into and out of closed position withrespect to an upright frame member, a vertically shiftable slide mountedon said free ed e of the door, a latch bolt secured to the slide andextending through a vertical slot in said free edge of the door, springmeans urging said slide downwardly, a striker on said frame memberhaving an inclined surface adapted to cam the bolt upwardly in said slotwhen the door is closed to elevate said slide, spring pressed meansshiftable beneath a portion of the slide to support the same againstdownward movement and therebv lock the bolt on said inclined surface inan elevated position or positions of the slide, spring pressed means forretracting said first means to release the slide and permit it to movedownwardly under the influence of its spring means thereby moving thebolt downwardly in said slot and along said inclined surface, and pushbutton controlled means for shifting said retracting means in oppositionto the spring pre sure exerted thereon.

15. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a case plate, a verticallyshiftable slide thereon, a projecting latch bo t fixed to the slide, aplural ty of locking members pivoted at their lower ends with their uper ends swingable in one d rection successively into positions beneatha projection on the slide to support the slide in successive verticallyraised positions with the bolt thereby locked in correspondingvertically spaced positions, a releasing member shiftable in one directon to swing said locking members out of said pos tions beneath saidprojection to release the slide, spring means ur ing said releasingmember in the op osite direction, and sprin means urgin the slidedownwardly.

17. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a case plate, a verticallyshiftable slide thereon, a projecting latch bolt fixed to the slide. aplurality of locking members pivoted at their lower ends with their uper ends swin able in one direct on successively into positions beneatha projection on the slide to sup ort the slide in successive verticallyraised positions with the bolt therebv locked in correspondingvertically spaced positions, spring means urging said locking memberinto said positions, a releasing member shiftable in one direction toswing said looking members out of said positions beneath said projectionto release the slide, spring means urging said releasing member in theopposite direction. and spring means urging the slide downwardly.

18. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a case plate, a verticallyshiftable slide thereon, a projecting latch bolt fixed to the slide, aplurality of locking members pivoted at their lower ends with theirupper ends swingable in one direction successively into positionsbeneath a projection on the slide to support the slide in successivevertically raised positions with the '5 bolt thereby locked incorresponding vertically spaced positions, a releasing member shiftablein one direction to swing said locking members out-of'said positionsbeneath said projection to release the slide, spring means urging saidreleasing member in the opposite direction, spring means urging theslide downwardly, and push button controlled mechanismfor shifting saidreleasing member to release the slide.

19. In a latch mechanism fora swinging door, a vertically shiftableslide, a projecting latch bolt fixed to the slide, a plurality oflocking members,- spring means for shifting said locking memberssuccessively beneath a projection on the slide when the slideis shiftedupwardly thereby to lock the'slide in successive vertically raisedpositions, spring means for urging the slide downwardly, said lockingmembers engaging said slide under spring pressure when the slide is inits down position, a shiftable kick-out member positioned for engagementwith said locking members when in their locking positions beneath saidprojection, spring means urging said kick-out member to said engagingposition, a plunger shiftable transversely to the direction-of movementof the kick-out member, means responsive to movement of the plunger forshifting the kick-out member to withdraw sa d looking membersfrombeneath said projection, and a push button for actuating saidplunger.

20. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a vertically shiftableslide, aprojecting latch bolt fixed to the slide, a plurality of lockingmembers, spring-means for shifting said locking members successivelybeneath a projection on the slide when the slideis shifted upwardlythereby to lock theslide in successive vertically raised positions,spring means for urging the slide downwardly, said-locking membersengaging said slide under spring pressure when the slide is in its downposition, a shiftable kick-out member positioned for engagement withsaid locking members when-in their locking positions beneath saidprojection, spring means urging said kickout memberto said engagingposition, a plunger i shiftable transversely to the direction ofmovementof the kick-out member, means responsive to movement of theplunger-for shifting the kickout member to withdraw said locking membersfrom beneath said projection, a push button for 7 actuating-saidplunger, and a striker device having an upwardly inclined passage toslidingly receive said bolt and adapted to earn the bolt upwardly asthedoor is closed thereby to shift said slide upwardly.

21. In a door latch, a support adapted to be mounted on a swinging door,a slide movable up and. down on said support, a longitudinally extendinglatch bolt secured to said slide-and engageable'with an inclined surfaceon a door frame member when the door is closed forshifting the slide inone generally vertical direction, said slide having a projectingportion, and a spring actuated locking member shiftable into aposltionin which said projecting portion and locking member are in overlappingrelation when the slide reaches a predetermined position for positivelyblocking verticalmoyement of the-slide in the opposite direction.

22. In a, door latch, a support adapted to be mounted on aswinging'door, a slide-movable up and. down on said support, alongitudinally extending latch'bolt' secured to said slide andengageable Wlth' aninclinedsurface one door frame member when the dooris closed for shifting the slide in one generally vertical direction,said slide having a projecting portion, a spring actuated locking membershiftaole into a position in which said projecting portion and lockingmember are in overlapping relation when the slide reaches apredetermined position or positively blocking vertical movement of theslide in the opposite direction, and means for withdrawing said lockingmember to release the slide.

23. In a door latch, a support adapted to be mounted on a swinging door,a slide movable up and down on said support, a longitudinally extendinglatch bolt secured to said slide and engageable with an inclined surfaceon a door frame member when the door is closed'for shifting the slide inone generally vertical direction, said slide having a projectingportion, a spring actuated locking member shiftable into a position inwhich said projecting portion and locking member are in overlappingrelation when the slide reaches a predetermined position for positivelyblocking vertical movement of the slide in the opposite direction, andspring means for imparting return vertical movement to the slide in saidlast named direction.

24. In a door latch, a support adapted to be mounted on'a swinging doorat one edge thereof, a vertically shiftable slide on said support, alongitudinallyextending latch bolt secured to the slide and'projectingthrough aligned vertical slots inthesupport and the edge of the door,said bolt being engageable with an inclined surface on a door framemember when the door is closed for shifting the bolt and slide in onevertical direction, a plurality of' swinging locking members havingvertically spaced portions shiftable successively into positions withrespect to a projection on theslide for blocking returnverticalmovementof the'slide in the opposite direction, springmeans forurging said lockingmemhers into-said positions, and means for shiftingsaid locking members out of blocking relation to said projection torelease said slide.

25. In a door latch, a support adapted to be mounted on a swinging doorat one edge thereof, a verticallyshiftable slide on saidsupport, alongitudinally extending latch bolt secured to the slide andprojecting-through aligned vertical slots inthe support and the edgeof-the door. said bolt being engageable-with an inclined surface on adoorframe member when the door is closed for shifting the bolt and slidein one vertical direction, a plurality of swinging locking membershaving vertically spaced portions shiftable successively into positionswith respect to a projection on the slide for blocking return verticalmovement of the slide in the oppo ite direction, spring' means forurgingsaid locking members into said positions, means for shifting saidlooking members out of blocking relation to said projection to-releasesaid slide, and spring means for impartingreturn vertical movement tothe slide.

26; In a latch mechanism for a swinging door hinged at one edge to causethe opposite free edge to swing into and out of closed position withrespect to an upright frame member, a vertically shiftable slide mountedon said free edge of the door, a latch bolt secured to the slide andextending through a vertical slot in said free edge of the door, springmeans .urging said slide in one vertical direction, a striker on saidframe member having an inclined surface adapted to cam the bolt in theopposite vertical direction in said slot when the door is closed, meansshiftable into engagement with a portion of the slide to block the sameagainst movement in said first named direction and thereby lock the bolton said inclined surface in a vertically moved position or positions ofthe slide, and means for retracting said last means to release the slideand permit it to move vertically under the influence of its spring meansthereby moving the bolt vertically in said slot and along said inclinedsurface.

27. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a support, a verticallyshiftable slide thereon, a projecting latch bolt fixed to the slide, aplurality of locking members pivoted adjacent certain ends thereof withtheir opposite ends swingable in one direction successively intopositions to engage a projection on the slide to hold the slide insuccessive vertically shifted positions with the bolt thereby locked incorresponding vertically spaced positions, a releasing member shiftablein one direction to swing said locking members out of said positionswith respect to said projections so as to release the slide, springmeans urging said releasing member in the opposite direction, and springmeans urging the slide toward unlocking position of the bolt.

28. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a vertically shiftableslide, a projecting latch bolt fixed to the slide, a plurality oflocking members, spring means for shifting said locking memberssuccessively into engagement with a projection on the slide when theslide is shifted in one vertical direction thereby to lock the slide insuccessive vertically shifted positions, spring means for urging theslide in the opposite direction, said locking members engaging saidslide under spring pressure when the slide is in normal bolt unlockingposition, a shiftable kick-out member positioned for engagement withsaid locking members when in their locking positions with respect tosaid projection, spring means urging said kick-out member to saidengaging position, a plunger shiftable transversely to the direction ofmovement of the kick-out member, means responsive to movement of theplunger for shifting the kick-out 20 member to withdraw said lockingmembers from

